Bardstown KY Distillery List
A current list of bourbon distilleries in Bardstown Kentucky! Updated 2025
A Tour Guide's List of Bourbon Distilleries in Bardstown, KY!
Bardstown Kentucky is known as the bourbon capital of the world. This charming city is only an hour outside of Louisville KY, and is home to some of the largest bourbon producers in the world. The city of Bardstown feels like a world of its own, where hospitality and bourbon are ways of life, and there is a strong sense of community all around. Here you’ll find everything from distillery giants like Heaven Hill and Jim Beam, to mom-and-pop craft distillers. So, now that you’re interested in visiting, here is our list of distilleries in Bardstown Kentucky!
"" You will find that several of the distilleries on our list are in the areas surrounding Bardstown. Nothing on our Bardstown KY distillery list is further than 30 minutes outside of downtown. All distillery lists and descriptions on this page are the sole opinions of the author. ""
Types of Distilleries in Bardstown Kentucky
Legacy Distilleries
Legacy distilleries refer to the large distillery operations that have called this region home for generations. Think of the bourbons your parents or grandparents drank, where you’re finally putting a face to the name!
Legacy List - Maker's mark, Jim Beam, Heaven Hill, Barton (currently closed)
Types of Distilleries in Bardstown Kentucky
Medium/Craft Distilleries
Craft distilleries are the smaller producers that don’t really benefit from being around for decades. On this list, you’ll find everything from mom-and-pop producers to established bourbon makers who have found a smaller place in the market.
Medium/Craft List - Preservation, Willett, Bardstown Bourbon Co, Lux Row, Limestone Branch, Log Still
Types of Distilleries in Louisville Kentucky
Tasting Experiences
Tasting experiences are a little more scarce in Bardstown than in other regions, due to the space to have a full-size distillery. Some of these experiences do in fact produce bourbon, but their operations are quite small - so tasting and history are the focus here.
Tasting Room List - Four Roses (Warehouse & Bottling), Chicken Cock, Cox's Creek
Legacy Distilleries in Bardstown KY
Heaven Hill Distillery
Heaven Hill is the largest family-owned bourbon distillery in the US. The HH portfolio includes some major brands, such as Evan Williams, Elijah Craig, Old Fitzgerald, and more. While mostly known for its tasting experiences and bourbon museum, you can find some great experiences here, from bottle your own barrel strength, to an in-depth warehouse tour. We've heard there are plans to open a new experiential distillery in 2025, so keep a lookout for new tour options!
Jim Beam Distillery
Jim Beam is also featured on our Louisville list, as it’s about halfway between Louisville and Bardstown. This historic distillery boasts an impressive portfolio, with bourbon ranging from Basil Hayden to Bookers, while having one of the most hands-on, informative tours on the bourbon trail.
Maker's Mark Distillery
Maker’s Mark is probably our favorite bourbon tour and is a big part of our orgin story! This historic property has many one-of-a-kind features and buildings, and more special tours and offerings than most can keep up with. In addition to being a multi-generation operation and a staple in bourbon, the property is an eco-farm that is paving a great path for the future of bourbon drinkers. In short, there’s a lot going on here! And you should check it out.
Medium & Craft Distilleries in Bardstown KY
Preservation Distillery
Most of us that have shopped for bourbon have seen the Very Old Saint Nick whiskeys on the shelf with their unique branding and have wondered about them. Well, VOSN and several other brands call Preservation home! This craft distillery is on a working farm, is woman-owned, and has a great staff and tour.
Willett Distillery
Willett is one of those distilleries that borders a legacy distillery and a craft distillery. They’ve made a name for themselves worthy of a legacy distillery, but the smaller campus and attention-to-detail have this operation more on the crafty side. Willett is known for its great tour, cozy campus, and their family-style bar and restaurant. You can also try some world-class, high end bourbons here if that’s your thing!
Lux Row Distillery
Less than 10 minutes from the center of Bardstown is the Lux Row distillery. This distillery is the Kentucky front for a lot of MGP products, with several popular whiskey brands upon its shelves. Here you can find the home of Ezra Brooks, Old Ezra, Penelope, Blood Oath, and a variety of other quality bourbon brands.
Bardstown Bourbon Co
Bardstown Bourbon Co is also less than 10 minutes outside the center of Bardstown. Now with several years of distilling under its belt, BBC has a number of self-produced products that they can serve alongside their award-winning whiskey blends they are known for. In addition, BBC is known for its great location, impressive campus, its bar & restaurant, and of course, the whiskey!
Limestone Branch Distillery
About 30 minutes south of Bardstown, you can find the friendly and cozy Limestone Branch distillery. This home of Yellowstone Bourbon is known for its friendly staff, informative tour, and fun outdoor patio bar. It’s also only about 15 minutes from Maker’s Mark, making it a great stop if you’re visiting the southern part of the Bardstown region.
Tasting Experiences in Bardstown KY
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Four Roses Warehouse & Bottling
Four Roses would certainly be on the list of legacy distilleries, but this particular location is the warehouse and bottling facility. You will not see any bourbon being produced here, but will instead partake in a guided tasting with a knowledgeable staff. There is an optional warehouse tour that can be paired with the tasting that happens a few times every day.
Chicken Cock
In downtown Bardstown, just across from the Old Talbott Inn, you can find the lovely Chicken Cock distillery and tasting room. This tasting room is known for its quality cocktails, bourbon flights, and gorgeous property. They have a great patio to enjoy on a nice Kentucky day and there is a lot more history behind the brand than most would realize!
Cox’s Creek Distilling
Home of Good Times Bourbon, Old Rick, and more, Cox’s Creek distilling offers a chance to try some locally known bourbons with a chance to take some home with you. After making a name in finishing and sourcing quality single barrels, Cox’s Creek Distilling has a lineup of products that any bourbon drinker can enjoy.
Bardstown Distillery List FAQ
How long does it take to visit everything on the list of Bardstown Distilleries?
If you just want to tour the legacy distilleries, as well as a few medium-sized distilleries, you can cross off a lot of stops on the Bardstown distillery list! If you are a completionist, then it may take a full 3-4 days to visit all the locations if you plan on doing an experience at each. We always say, the bourbon trail isn’t going anywhere, so get some priorities out of the way and come back there's still items left on your list!
How do I book a Bardstown bourbon tour?
To book a tour at one of the locations on our Bardstown distillery list, be sure to visit that company’s website. There you will find all the available options with real-time availability. We do book tours for our clients as part of our full day bourbon tours with transportation! Please reach out if you’d like for us to put a day together for you and your group!
Can you visit a distillery without a tour?
You can certainly visit any of the locations on our Bardstown distillery list without a tour. Each distillery will have a gift shop you can visit, and most have a bar you can grab a drink or flight at. The only thing is, if you plan to visit without something on the books, your group will be subject to the capacity of that location. If you want to make sure you have something prearranged for you, make sure to book the experience you want in advance!
What are some other bourbon experiences that are not on the Bardstown distillery list?
There are a few locations that we haven’t been to yet, and stuff always gets added! A few of our favorites are the bourbon museum at My Old Kentucky Home State Park, the Dinner Train, the Civil War Museum, or the Kentucky Cooperage Tour in Lebanon Kentucky!
How far in advance should I book a tour?
Distillery experiences come out on the company websites anywhere from 2-3 months in advance or earlier. To ensure that you are able to secure the experiences you want for you and your group, be sure to book those as early as you can! As in, as soon as you have your travel dates and flights locked in.